Cut & Sewn | Maestro X Hall Of Fame

Levi Maestro has been killing it the last two years with his Maestro Knows project. Single handedly changed the idea of a blog/video series. Changing it for the better, while incorporating a bunch of genres (music, skateboarding, fashion, streetwear) into one big project all while documenting his life. His style, uniqueness and creativity can not be taught in a book or class room. Maestro is an artist in his own genre that noone can duplicate. 

His creativity can not only be used in a blog or video, but also in fashion and streetwear. He has released quite a few collaborations this year, with the likes of: Los Angeles jeweler Shayan Afshar, 13TH Witness,  and Yue Wu. Each having it's own hype and story behind the product. Recently, Maestro teamed up with Hall Of Fame to produce this sweatshirt: 

Maestro has always been a huge supporter of Hall Of Fame, supporting them as a shopper... as well as an occasional visit during a Maestro Knows episode. I love collaborations with a story behind the product and when they work flawlessly together. This sweater is that case, everything about it is cool and original. The front logo gives off a simplistic look to the piece, while the back tells the entire story "Making My Way To The Hall Of Fame". At the rate Levi Maestro is working and progressing... I wouldn't be surprised if they made a "Hall Of Fame" for him.

Photos by Ryan Lusteg. 

Cut & Sewn | The Hundreds Public Label Winter'10

The Hundreds is what originally kicked started my role into the fashion/streetwear world. I was infatuated with the originality and creativity a tee shirt could bring to your image. I remember the first tee shirt I bought from Momentum 8th Street, 'Drawing Black Lines' were printed on the back; being really into painting and drawing... I liked it alot. 

After 13 seasons of heavy representation of The Hundreds goods billboarded over my body. I found myself growing up and out of the typical streetwear look that The Hundreds had been known for in the past. They have always been inspired by hip-hop, skateboarding, surf, punk cultures all reminiscent in the 80's to millennium; all things that I have been influenced by. But lately I have found that I have been leaning towards a more classy, fashionable image.

Years ago, when the first couple cut & sew pieces (selvedge denim, wovens, custom fleece and outerwear) were introduced to The Hundreds line-ups the original concept was to title the collections "Public Label" to give it different look and attract a whole new audience that maybe weren't interested in buying a graphic tee, hoodie or hat. But they ditched the "Public Label" title and released The Hundreds as a whole.

They are bringing "Public Label" as its own line. Focusing on a collection of higher-end, concept driven, wearable goods. A mature look for a modern man; who is into sophisticated looks, quality with palatable colors, and focused on what is 'now' in the fashion world. I truly am stoked on this, I have been more interested on dressing mature, and fashion oriented. I also can appreciate when a brand can properly conduct a concept or look. The Hundreds did not miss a hint of creativity or uniqueness while executing a new concept; important to anyone focused on what is now.

Award Tour "Friends & Family" Lookbook Video - Filmed&Edited by: Vinny Piccone

This video is so hype. It makes me feel like I was there. I'm going to for sure pick up a couple tee's on the re-release this week.

It's really inspiring watching a bunch of creator's make such an impact on such a large market(Streetwear/Fashion) with such a minimal-istic idea. Treating it as an artform and lifestyle, rather then a way to make money.

ListenUp is working on its clothing designs as we speak, and I can assure you. We are treating this as an artform, and we are going to make ever detail count.

Customer Service

Award Tour has been in my 'go-to' daily blog lists for about a year now. They always keep everything original and fun. I ordered my first shirt after the haiti disaster in February, I thought it was a rad cause and I really liked the shirt. Super stoked when I saw this on the back of the package... 'Saskatoon, What Up. Keep It All Sort Of Funky'.

Recently, Phil and The Award Tour Fam dropped the Friends&Family Collection. Basically, made for the people that have been wanting some Award Tour ink... on a tee. The collection looked super rad, like always... nice and colorful with some great design. I unfortunately missed the drop due to 'Boy's Weekend in Edmonton'. Super bummed out when I realized this traveling between two prairie cities... with no internet. 

Customer Service is probably the most important thing in running an effective and fun business. As you probably already know, I manage a skate boutique-ish shop (Momentum Marketplace) in Saskatoon. I try to keep every customer that walks through the door feel great, by socializing about anything and everything. 

Check out this video of Phil & Friends, sending out the collection. The personalization that is put on every parcel... inspires me. While we get our clothing line designed it reminds me that every detail from the 'packaging' to the 'presentation' is important.

The Friends&Family Look Book

'Hand addressing every single package is one of those ideas that seems great with the first twenty packages…and then begins to get extremely tiring after about eight straight hours of personal time with sharpies, Award Tour shirts, and manila envelopes. But at the end of the day. It’s worth it. We’re firm believers that that hand written personal attention to detail makes all the difference in the world of Twitter, Tumblr, and “text me, don’t call me.” Hopefully you all feel the same, and can live with the fact that it takes a while longer for the packages to arrive on your doorstep.

About half of the packages are in the air as we speak, headed off on their way. The other half are preventing me from leaving my dorm room and should be gone within the next two days. I’m planning on the next drop, we’ll work on having that as quickly as possible as well! Hoping to get full runs of the Relax tees, World Wide, and Ivy Mountains. Perhaps some 1990 Sea Foam’s as well. Hell. We mine as well get them all again. More details to follow.

Thanks for the support everyone. Truly. It means a lot. To see the same people ordering over and over again is really inspiring and the reason I keep throwing these things out there. You guys make the brand what it is. Enjoy the video! Shouts to Ellington on the camera work.'- The Award Tour

Award Tour.

Phil just dropped this photo of the upcoming Award Tour Fall Collection. This is going to be dope. Can't wait to pick up a couple tees.

What Did We Wear Today? Cali Edition. (In N Out)

Vans Tee, 10 DEEP shorts, White Perf Janoski's

What Did We Wear Today? Cali Edition. (July 16th 2010)

Pre Game Outfit.

Alife 'YES!' tee, WeSC Denim, Nike Dunk High Supreme 'Futura's'

Award Tour.

Award Tour has inspired me, since the first time JJ (inno) showed me his blog. He seems to do everything just right. Blogging about everything from; music to fort-making, from art projects to the fashion thing. Phillip Annand is the owner and creator of Award Tour. If you haven't seen it for yourself, do so.

Here is a product shot for Award Tour's upcoming line up. I am thoroughly stoked on this. I have the Award Tour Haiti Tee, I like it alot... Design is great, wish I would have copped a medium though.

Here is what was said on Award Tour underneath this shot :

I figure beautifully shot pictures of upcoming product are more enjoyable than anything else, so I won’t even try to come around and spew a bunch of nonsense to fill up space.  Orders are placed, cotton is being flown back and fourth across the country in the production cycle.  Only a few weeks out from the new Award Tour drop.  It’s been a long, long time.  This should be enjoyable.

Stay Safe-Phil.

Can't Wait!

Acid Washing Part 2.

After, 3 washes in the washing machine this is the final result:

Before(Front)

After(Front)

After(Back)

I am super stoked on these! I was really questioning it last night, but I am kind of pumped. Considering, this is my first pair, I think I did a decent job. Next, acid wash attempt will be some tank tops! ListenUp.

Acid Washing Part 1.

I have wanted a pair of "acid washed" denim for quite some time now. Recently, I had a talk with a good friend of mine (Tim) and he mentioned that he acid washed one of the tee's he was wearing using bleach. So, I decided to give it a try, I recently got my old baggy Kr3w blue jeans tapered (from the expertise, Tina's Tailoring):

p.s. These aren't actually my legs or my jeans. Just a product shot of the before tapered jeans.

So, tonight at approx. 11:30 pm I built up the courage to sneak away into the garage with bleach, a towel, a home made tank, and my freshly fitted denim to experiment with the concept. First, set up in the garage... laying down a towel, and rolling up my jeans. Second, after realizing I locked myself in the garage, waking up my mother and lying to her "I was just putting something in the garbage, and forgot my keys!"... I went inside to soak my denim and tank in cold water. Wringing them out so, they aren't soaked. Third, laying them flat to begin the splatter of the bleach, keeping in mind that you need to spread out the excess bleach to apply a more "natural" pattern. Fourth, letting them sit for about 5-10 minutes, then taking them to the washing machine to clean the "itchy" chemical from the pieces. I heard that you will need to wash them more than once to get rid of the itchy feeling from the denim. We will have to see though. I will provide some more information and pictures in a later post. ListenUp.

Star Wars Meets Fashion.

When I saw this I thought of Sto... ahha. It's the best of both worlds; Fashion and Star Wars.